Fourth International Conference
on the
Development and Assessment of Intercultural Competence

January 23—26, 2014
Tucson, Arizona

Preparing and Supporting K–16 Language Teachers to Teach for Intercultural Competence in and beyond the Classroom

Conference Description

With greater awareness of the importance of intercultural competence in enabling learners to communicate effectively in an increasingly interconnected world, and with global travel and instant international communications available to a growing number of people, one of the primary goals of language teaching is to promote the acquisition of intercultural competence in the classroom and beyond. In order for teachers to become intercultural mediators (Zarate, Gohard-Radenkovic, Lussier, & Penz, 2003) and facilitators of intercultural competence in the classroom, it is critical for them to understand the concept of intercultural competence, the process involved in its development, and the ways and means of assessing and evaluating it. However, this cannot be accomplished without a major paradigm shift in the professionalization of language teachers. Today's language teachers must be equipped with the tools and strategies to effectively and efficiently foster the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of intercultural competence, as outlined by scholars in the field, in order to support all students and prepare them to become interculturally competent global citizens.

Organized by the Center for Educational Resources in Culture, Language and Literacy (CERCLL), the fourth international conference on the development and assessment of intercultural competence aims to bring researchers and practitioners across languages, levels, and settings to discuss and share research, theory, and best practices; to foster meaningful professional dialogue; and to enhance teacher effectiveness in teaching for intercultural competence in and beyond the classroom in order to support all students' development of intercultural competence.